Chapter 2: Carousel Of Madness
The carousel music, a warped and tinny rendition of "Pop Goes the Weasel", screeched through the cavernous funhouse, bouncing off the cracked mirrors and chipped porcelain faces of forgotten clown dolls. Joker, perched precariously on a brightly painted horse with a chipped mane and a vacant stare, threw his head back and cackled, his laughter echoing through the desolate space. The carousel lurched into a jerky motion, its gears groaning in protest as the faded animals bobbed up and down. With a dramatic flourish, Joker slammed his fist onto a hidden button on the central pole. A jack-in-the-box, its paint peeling and colors faded, sprang open with a jarring clang from a hidden panel in the floor. But instead of a silly jester, a jagged chunk of Kryptonite the size of his fist emerged, pulsating with an eerie green glow.
"Surprise!" Joker cackled, his voice dripping with malice, each syllable punctuated by the creaking of the carousel. "Truth be told, I was hoping Blue Boy would show up!"
The Kryptonite's radiation washed over Superman, who stood just a few steps away, its intensity amplified by the enclosed space. It felt like a thousand ice-cold needles piercing his skin, each one draining his strength and vitality. He stumbled back, his vision blurring, the vibrant colors of the carousel melting into a nauseating swirl of reds and yellows. He swayed, putting his arms up to soften the impact with the floor as his legs gave way. He landed on the floor with his arms immediately wrapped around his midsection.
Seeing Superman falter, Batman started towards him but was grabbed by a white, gloved hand. Batman swung and landed a solid punch to Joker's jaw, the satisfying crack echoing through the funhouse like a gunshot. Joker staggered back, his grin faltering for a moment, but quickly returned with renewed ferocity. He retaliated with a wild swing of his own, forcing Batman to duck and weave. They fought back towards the carousel onto its moving platform, their bodies crashing against the worn saddles and chipped hooves of the painted horses. The scenery around them became a dizzying blur of spinning colors and distorted faces, a macabre backdrop to their brutal dance.
Batman, fueled by a desperate need to protect his partner, fought with a ferocity that surprised even himself. He channeled his fear for Superman into raw power, driving his fist into Joker's gut, doubling the clown over with a pained gasp. Joker wheezed, clutching his stomach, but his eyes still glittered with madness. With a snarl, he reached into his coat, pulling out a handful of razor-sharp playing cards, their edges glinting ominously in the dim light.
"Enjoy the party favors, Bats!" he cackled, flinging the cards with deadly accuracy.
Batman deflected them with his gauntlets, the metal screeching against the sharpened edges. He lunged forward, tackling Joker to the ground. They rolled across the moving platform, their struggle a whirlwind of fists and fury. The carousel music reached a fever pitch, its discordant melody a soundtrack to the chaos of their fight.
As Batman pressed his advantage, Joker, ever the unpredictable foe, pressed a hidden button on his lapel. A cloud of noxious green gas erupted from his collar, filling the air with a sickly sweet odor that burned Batman's nostrils. Caught off guard, Batman inhaled the fumes. His vision swam, the carousel lights exploding into blinding streaks of color. His limbs felt heavy, his movements sluggish, and his thoughts scattered like frightened birds.
Joker, seeing his opportunity, scrambled to his feet. He stood over Batman, his laughter echoing through the gas-filled air, a chilling sound that promised more madness and mayhem to come.